The Rev. Frank Schaefer was convicted by a jury of pastoral peers of breaking his vows by officiating at a gay wedding.

Written by

the Rev. David Swinton and the Administrative Board of Grace United Methodist Church

Last month, Frank Schaefer, a United Methodist minister in Pennsylvania, faced a church trial. Schaefer was charged with conducting a wedding ceremony for his son and another man in Massachusetts several years ago.

Officiating at same-sex weddings is prohibited by the United Methodist Church's official rule book, the Book of Discipline. Schaefer was found guilty by a jury of 13 colleagues. His penalty is a 30-day suspension, after which he must commit to following all the rules of the Book of Discipline or lose his credentials as a United Methodist minister.